Nov/Dec N Scale - Captured the spectrum

[conrail98]

Lee, Rick's working on another layout, http://rickb773-prsl.blogspot.com/, based on the PRSL in South Jersey,

Phil

[wm3798]

I see...  Nice blog, too.  One suggestion on photography...  I use a 6 mp point and shoot for all of my shots, the trick is to keep the ISO low, the aperture tight, the exposure long, and don't use the flash.  Check the manual settings on your camera, and see if you can monkey around with it to get some better shots.  The flash in particular is totally blowing out your work.

Lee

[rickb773]

You are right, photography is a separate art (and another of my non-talents). I am using a Canon 8 MP point & shoot with the manual settings maximized for field depth BUT I haven't bothered getting out the umbrella lights yet which are really needed to fill in the lighting. Since these photos are only used for the blog I haven't bothered (especially since the loft is kind of cramped already).  I do have my photographer friend coming down sometime in the next few weeks (12 MP with a professional behind the view-finder) to take some pictures of the 4'x8' for a proposed second N Scale magazine article. If we have time, we will also take some pictures of the shelf layout then. Myrrlayout.com used to have a good article on model railroad photography hints but it seems to have been removed from the site.
P.S. Anyone know of any N-Scalers in the Sewell (S.W.) New Jersey area?

[alhoop]

I guess the comments by Rick Balassaitis: ... But IF "Alhoop's" comment was directed at putting my
 layout "in the dustbin of history", I would consider that rude and I would take issue not with the comment
 but rather the attitude it portrays. The internet seems gives us an anonymity that allows us to make
 comments that would be insulting in person. I am a member of a railroad historical society and have
 watched some folks' acid comments drive folks from the forum that have had much to contribute. 
I also belong to a town oriented forum that is totally out of control and dominated by a few
that have to comment on everything. I think Railwire's constituency seem to consistently be
polite and helpful. I guess the success of a forum is due to both the membership and the
moderator's efforts  to keep it under control.
.................

deserve an answer.

I congratulate Rick on getting his article published
in N-Scale magazine. If my comment about the dustbin
of history offended him so be it. That was and is my
opinion.
Here are some reasons why:

1 Model Railroader Jan 1977 'Slo-mo-shun switch motor '
http://s1110.photobucket.com/albums/h458/alhoop1/?action=view&current=Photo5.jpg
I built several of these to control turnouts and used  one to drive this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qZ6B9VbAPY

 2 Model Railroader Dec 1979 'Scratchbuild a signal bridge.'
http://s1110.photobucket.com/albums/h458/alhoop1/?action=view&current=logic006.jpg

3 Model railroader Sep 1982 'An operating windmill'
http://s1110.photobucket.com/albums/h458/alhoop1/?action=view&current=windmill.jpg

4 Model Railroader Jul 1989 'Build a working N-scale crosing signal '
http://s1110.photobucket.com/albums/h458/alhoop1/?action=view&current=crosssig.mp4

I built all four of these -some up to 25 years after publication
and could not name any layout photos in any issue.
They are relegated to my dustbin.

5 Here is one of mine, N-Scale magazine Nov/Dec 2010
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EnnVgAqLgBA

As can be seen I appear in the movie so am not really anonymous.

As to my comment that todays  modeler had rather drool than build,

Model Railroader didn't think there would be any interest in this
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BeyjJu1iwh0

yet they will devote part of several upcoming issues to building yet another 4 by 8 layout.

So - no apology unless one is owed to me.

Al Hooper

[conrail98]

Al,

I'm not sure where you are going with your previous post, but it looks like you would just prefer articles on how to build something (electronically related by the looks of your examples), not layout photos, and that's fine and well within your opinion. In case you couldn't reference it, Rick's layout had to be taken down as a result of a move due to family health concerns. That's why there was the reaction to the "dustbin of history". I understand, after reading your posts 3 or 4 times, you are referring to the articles on the layouts, not the layouts themselves. A slightly different way to say it might be better as you introduce yourself to this community,

Phil

[wm3798]

Rick, while I'm not exactly "around the corner" it looks like you're only about 2.5 hours from me according to Mr. Google.  One of my regular crew resides in Wilmington, DE, which might make it a more palatable journey...  I'll have to get my act together and do a meet and greet or something.

There's also a mob of us around the Baltimore/DC area, and I'm sure a few heads poke up around Philly, too.

Lee

[rickb773]

1) Maybe Railwire should start a forum to match-up Lone Wolves that would rather join a wolf-pack. It would probable need to include where you live and your interests.

2) Even if they didn't want to get together regularly, Railwire could start a second forum where folks could swap work / barter projects. I would certainly like to swap equipment, bench work, wiring, or basic scenery work with someone who could do my GHQ brass PRR L1s kit on a Kato Mikado. (Do you think we can get Dave Vollmer transferred to the Philadelphia area?  )

[rickb773]

P.S. Probably should also have a column for how far you are willing/can travel. (My Sciatic Nerve wants to have a vote also  ).

[John]

1) Maybe Railwire should start a forum to match-up Lone Wolves that would rather join a wolf-pack. It would probable need to include where you live and your interests.

2) Even if they didn't want to get together regularly, Railwire could start a second forum where folks could swap work / barter projects. I would certainly like to swap equipment, bench work, wiring, or basic scenery work with someone who could do my GHQ brass PRR L1s kit on a Kato Mikado. (Do you think we can get Dave Vollmer transferred to the Philadelphia area?  )

I think people do a pretty good job of getting together within the current construct of the forum .. people tend to collaborate pretty well here ..

[sizemore]

1) Maybe Railwire should start a forum to match-up Lone Wolves that would rather join a wolf-pack. It would probable need to include where you live and your interests.

2) Even if they didn't want to get together regularly, Railwire could start a second forum where folks could swap work / barter projects. I would certainly like to swap equipment, bench work, wiring, or basic scenery work with someone who could do my GHQ brass PRR L1s kit on a Kato Mikado. (Do you think we can get Dave Vollmer transferred to the Philadelphia area?  )

I like tend to think of myself as a one-man wolfpack.



The S.